/ Great Escape

by Anokhi Admin

Great Escape

May 15, 2013

WE EXPLORE OUR FAVOURITE WINE REGIONS AROUND THE WORLD.

Lush green rolling hills, vineyards as far as the eye can see and wineries (or even châteauxs) can be found dotting the landscape. Exploring a wine region not only entails endless opportunities to taste and sip wine to your heart’s content, but it’s a chance to indulge in local gastronomic delights, participate in cultural activities and discover cultural sites. We explore four world-class wine regions each offering a unique flavour to discover.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

Less than a two-hour drive from Toronto, this 19th-century village is in the heart of Niagara’s wine region. Quaint and charming, you can find retreat at accommodations ranging from five-star spa resorts to bed and breakfasts. There are more than 60 wineries in the region, from large estates like Jackson-Triggs and Peller Estates, to smaller boutique wineries such as Cattail Creek and Lailey Vineyard. Thanks to the region’s climate, you’ll be able to taste a wide selection of vino, from Chardonnay to Pinot Noir. However, don’t miss trying one of Niagara’s best-known exports – ice wine. Niagara is the world’s largest producer of this sweet dessert wine that wouldn’t be possible to create without our cold Canadian winters.

Highlights: Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to the renowned Shaw Festival Theatre that produces 10 to 12 plays a season with a focus on works by playwright George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. Each season brings a new lineup and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a show that doesn’t interest you. Also consider visiting during a festival, like the Niagara Wine Festival (September 21 to 30), where you can enjoy access to exclusive wine and food tastings, tours and seminars at a select number of wineries. www.niagaraonthelake.com

Tuscany, Italy

From Tuscany’s countryside to the architectural wonders found in Florence, this central Italian region is a romantic destination that lives up to its reputation. When it comes to exploring the wineries of Tuscany, you could easily make a day of it driving from Florence, as it’s only about an hour’s drive. Better yet, plan a few nights in the small town of Greve in Chianti, often referred to as the gateway to the Chianti wine region. From here you can start your tastings at wineries like the medieval Castello di Verrazzano, or the small familyrun Montefioralle Chianti Winery.

Highlights: Expect to eat and drink well in Italy. Classic Tuscan dishes to indulge in include bistecca alla fiorentina, your classic T-bone steak grilled over a wood fire; ribollita, a filling soup made with vegetable broth, beans and bread; and finocchiona, a salami made with fennel seeds. Don’t miss out on exploring the Renaissance city of Florence where you can revel in masterpieces by da Vinci and Michelangelo at the Uffizi Gallery, stroll through the famous Piazza della Signoria, and fill your belly with hearty Tuscan cuisine. www.turismo.intoscana.it

Napa Valley, California

You can fly into San Francisco and find yourself a mere 80 kilometres south of Napa Valley, where you’ll discover more than 200 wineries, renowned restaurants and a large range of accommodations from spa resorts to luxury inns. The grape-growing region is dense, and you’ll find most of the wineries surrounding Hwy 29 and the Silverado Trail. Because of this, a bike tour is a wonderful way to get an up-close experience. Plus, many tours will pick up any purchased wine and provide you with a picnic lunch. The Valley is home to a wide range of producers including boutique wineries like Sawyer and Peju Province, and big names including Beringer and Robert Mondavi. You’ll be able to sip on a large selection of varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, due to the area’s diverse microclimates.

Highlights: Napa is home to some legendary restaurants including The French Laundry, Bouchon, Bistro Jeanty and Morimoto Napa. Even if you can only splurge once, there are plenty of mouthwatering meals to be found, and the best part is that many of these dining destinations take advantage of the region’s local produce and farms. In an area that doesn’t have a wide variety of ethnic cuisine, chef Neela Paniz decided to change that when she opened Neela’s in downtown Napa. “I found myself travelling several times to the Napa Valley and recognizing that there was no Indian, and very little ethnic food available,” Paniz says. “I thought that this maybe a place to showcase some high-end Indian cuisine.” Since opening the doors in 2008, she has received both accolades and praise for introducing Indian cuisine to the area. The small wine list containing both local and European varieties, pairs nicely with contemporary dishes like the California Tandoori Salad with cumin-cilantro dressing and her popular Shrimp and Mango Pickle Samosas. http://napavalley.com

Bordeaux, France

The city of Bordeaux, found in the southwest region of France, is known for being the country’s wine capital. The picturesque city sits on the banks of the Garonne River and boasts stunning architectural sites including the 11th-century Romanesque Saint-André Cathedral and the Basilica of Saint-Seurin, a handful of fine and contemporary art galleries, and great shopping found in the markets of the Chatron district. We suggest making Bordeaux your base and taking day trips to the surrounding vineyards where you can find thousands of wineproducing châteaux, many of which offer tours and tastings. Take a scenic drive north of the city on the D2 to the region of Médoc where you’ll find the fairytale-like Château Pichon- Longueville, Mouton Rothschild, Latour and Léoville Barton. The road takes 90 minutes to drive without stopping, so plan accordingly. Also be sure to book ahead as not all wineries allow drop-ins.

Highlights: In 2007, UNESCO classified the old city of Bordeaux a world heritage site, so one cannot leave without wandering the banks of the Garonne and taking in the 18thcentury neo-classical buildings. We also suggest you don’t just limit yourself to drinking wine. Consider indulging in a spa treatment inspired by the grapes themselves. At the Spa Vinothérapie, located in Les Sources de Caudalie located just 20 minutes north of the city, you can take a red-wine bath or even enjoy a Cabernet body scrub. www.bordeaux-tourisme.com

BY STEPHANIE GRAY / PUBLISHED IN THE HEALTH & WELLNESS ISSUE, SUMMER 2012
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FOTOLIA.COM